Reinforced concrete ship



Feb. 8, 1944,

V. YOURKEVITCH REINFORCED CONCRETE SHIP Filed April 15, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet i INVENTOR.

Feb. 8, 1944. v. Y OURKEVITCH nniuroncnn concnmn SHIP Filed April 15. 1942 2 Shoots-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 8, 1944 UNITED STATES; PATENT OFFICE REINFORGED"CONCRETE SHIP Vladimir Yourkevitch New York, N-. Y.,'assignor,1 byv mesne assignments, to,-.Mercantile-Metal & Ore .Corp., a corporation ofDelaware,

Application April 15', 1942; serial No. 438,983

13.0laims. (Cl. 1141-65) This invention relates to" reinforced concrete ships'and methods of fabricatingthe same;

Reinforced concrete ships have usually been; built-in the same general manneras steel or wooden ship's, utilizing the usualships' form consisting 'of more or'less flat sides, a rounded bottom, and a curved deck. Such ships require the strongest'kind of reinforcement of the large fiat surfaces! which'are subjected to high water pressures-for; in'the case of concrete, itis very dangerous to have it'bear bending stresses resultingfrompressures' exerted against flat surfaces;- Consequently this type of ship has so muchdead'weightthat its carrying capacity of useful loads' is relatively limited. Furthermore the fabrication of this type'of ship required costly and intricate-forms. For these and otherreasons, concrete ship construction has not been-viewed with much favor, notwithstanding economies which should attend the useof reinforced con- Y cret'e as a construction medium for marine pur poses;

Attempts have been made to overcome the disadvantages referred to through the employment of hullshapeswhereinflat sides were reduced to a'minimum. For exampleit'has beensuggested to "cast a ships'hull in the form of a monolith" comprising intersecting'tubular sections. The use' of monolithic intersecting tubular bodies ex-* tending 'uninterruptedly forlthe full length of the hull minimizes the disadvantage of fiat sides and straightside walls, but theintersection of the tubular bodies introduces very considerable dead weight without any-particular advantage and with a' minimum hull displacement.- Furthermore, the intersecting portions 1 of such tubular bodies in troduced into J the" hull tension components and concrete is notoriouslyweak under stresses of this type, even when reinforced by much steel.

It has also'been"suggested'that concrete hulls be-made of truly cylindrical form and monolithic from bow'to-stern'; Such a shipobviously'h'as minimum stability and displacement and consequentlyiirelativelylow payload carrying power.

With the foregoing considerations and others in mind, it'isthe object of th presentinvention to'provide a novel method 'ofship construction whereby. the hull may be fabricated from a plurality of individuallyforined, symmetrical tubular sections, each of which is of substantially circular cros's'section' and of a length" equalto'a fractional portion of'the'length of the hull. A plurality of -these section's are-adapted to be fabricated individually, anda number of themunited in end :to end relation to produce a substantiallyi continuous tubular unit extending from the bow to stern sections 'of-thehu-ll and a plurality of these units are adapted to be positioned in substantially tangential relation and permanently f anchored to one another to produce, with the bow andstern sections, a complete hull of maximum displacement and payload carrying space and with maximum strength and seaworthiness.

The-individual'tubularsections may be conveniently formed by centrifugally molding or depositing concrete upon the interior of an exterior form in which is'positioned appropriate reinforcing metal bars, so that the employment of interiormolds is rendered unnecessary. The individually formed sections may be thereafter united by welding togetherp'rojecting portions of the reinforcing bars and enclosing the thus Welded together portions of the bars -'in concrete.

Appropriate bulkheads may be formed in or betweenthe-respective sections to divide the length of" each tubular unit into a plurality of holds provided with'hatches and ventilating openings. The tubularunitsare arranged in parallel, substantially tangential relation and secured to one another in a more or less yielding or elastic manher which will permit some give between these units of the-hull construction and thus obviate undue-bending stresses.

j The opposite ends of the tubular units are connected to bow and stem sections, preferably of substantially the same shape and into which the tubular construction maybe continued in tapered form in order to provide appropriate reinforcement of these portions of the hull. The

' ship mayhave a curved or substantially flat v easy access to holds and'quick loading by means 50 of appropriate booms and winches, and piping systems for handling liquid cargos, and it will providesuflicient free board and stability for safe i ation:

'Featuresof the invention, other than those:

5.5 adVertd-to; will be apparent from the herein-..

Figure 1 is'a side elevation of a ship embody'-" ing the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of such ship.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig ure 1.

Figure 4 is a section corresponding toFigure 3, but showing a modified form of the'invention.

Figure 5 is a vertical fragmental section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, showing in enlarged detail method of connecting substantially tangential adjacent tubular units.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 5. Y

Figure 7 is a fragmental transverse section of the. upper portion of one of the concrete sections showing means for anchoring a deck thereto.- 7

Figure 8 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure '7.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 5, but 11- lustrating a modified form of construction.

Figure 10 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 shows consecutive steps in the fabrication of the hull.

Figure 12 shows a completed hull in perspective.

Figure 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of an assembly of consecutive sections of modified form.

Figure 14 is a section on the line I l-ll of Figure 13.

Figure 15 shows a modified form of section.

In order to clearly describe the method of fabricating the hull of the present invention, attention is first directed to Figure 11. The first step of the method is shown at I. Here a suitable exterior form I is provided therein with suitably supported metal reinforcing bars 2 ex-- tending longitudinally therethrough and projecting beyond the ends of the form I. The wall of the form is provided with projections 3 forming interiorly thereof mold cavities for lateral. anchorages whereby sections to be cast in the form may be subsequently secured to one another in substantially tangential relation. Additional appropriate projections 4 are also provided in the upper and lower portions of the form for casting deck and bottom anchorages and appropriate core elements 5 are also associated with the form for the casting of hatches or ventilating openings. An inner form may also be used if the concrete is to be poured, but, in

practice, I preferably eliminate the interior form entirely and use in its stead the revolving head E which, rotating at high speed, serves to throw concrete, fed thereto, against the inner face-of.

the form I in a manner to deposit it in a substantially uniform layer around the inside of the form and in a manner to enclose the reinforcing barsrZ. There may also be formed on the interior. of the section annular ribs for reinforcement;

Concrete is used which will properly adhere when thus projected and will .provide a substantially waterproof wall of uniform thickness and dimension appropriate to the size of the hullto be form'ed. The first step of the method thus consists in its preferred form in centriiugally depositing a tubular section of concrete within the form I.

After the concrete has set, it is removed from the form and appears as indicated at II in Figure 11. Here the concrete section is shown as comprising a tubular section 1 with lateral anchorages 8, upper and lower anchorages il, and a hatch opening ID. The reinforcing bars 2 project beyond the ends of the section I.

The next step of the method consists in bringing two sections 1 into coaxial relation, as indicated at III, with the reinforcing bars 2 of these two sections overlapping. Having brought these sections into this position, the overlapping bars are welded together.

After the bars have been welded together a suitable form is placed about the open welded portion between the two consecutive sections and at the same time the adjacent ends of the two sections may be closed by appropriate fiat forms and the open space between the sections thereupon poured to close this space, as indicated at H, and at the same time to form an integral bulkhead between the sections; so as to divide the unit into adjacent holds, one within each section. These bulkheads may include suitable reinforcing bars and frames if desired and they may also be ribbed for greater strength.

In the manner specified a plurality of succes-.

sive sections are assembled in coaxial relation to provide one tubular unit. The separate sections may be formed at a distance from one another and brought to a point of assembly and there secured together, or they may be assembled in succession with relation to a pre-formedor a latter formed bow section l2 or stem section l3 which may be cast, pressure-cast, or centrifugally deposited in appropriate forms.

In Figure '11, the aft end of the bow section 12' is shown as butted against one of the tubular units with the interfitting reinforcing bars of both welded together and the space between them cast in to form a bulkhead which at the same time secures the tubular unit to the bow section.

- After one of the tubular units has been formed and brought into position with respect to a bow and stem section formed in the manner described, a second and possibly a third or fourth tubular unit is built up in the same way and positioned alongside of and either or both above or below the other units, with the anchorages 8'for securing the several units to one another arranged in interfitting or overlapping relation. The individual sections may of course be cast in place so that they do not have to be moved, but in any event they finally are in the desired substantially tangential relation shown in Figure 11 and thereupon or in the course of the assembly, they are bolted or otherwise secured together in a manner hereinafter described and the several units are also secured to the bow and stem sections l2 and I3 by casting.

In Figure 11, a hull embodying two units is shown. After these are arranged in the manner stated, a deck I4 and bottom I 5 are applied, as indicated at 5 in Figure 11. These parts are preferably cast in place to extend for the full length of the hull between the bow and stern sections and they are cast so as to be united to these bow and stem sections and to the intermediate units.

While the deck and bottom may be secured to the tubular units in any desired way, I preferably accomplish this result by building the forms for the deck and bottom, so as to embrace the anchorages '9 at thetopandbottom .of thefseveral: sections. and then make the Yeasts so as to cast; about" these: anchorages. and thus 2 assure proper anchoringof: the deck l l and bottom l5 totheasse-mbled units. The section of this hull will be as shown generally in Figure 4;

InFigure 111, the successive sections are shown of substantially uniform thickness throughout their length, but, I may, if desired, form "these individual-sections with flanges 19, so that, in the assembly of these-sections, the-flanges may bebutted together and mechanically secured to one another by bolts or otherwise, eitherwith or without the accompanying welding together of the reinforcing bars of therespective sections. In this construction a bulkhead may be' formed at certain assembled'flanges,'suchas shown insectionin Figure13, while other flanges may be leftwithout bulkheadsinthe-assembly; To impart the desired radial stifiness'to these sections and to reinforcethesame against bending stresses, I may incorporate in the bulkheads suitable reinforcing ribsgas indicated at I 8 in Figures 13 and 14 and the useof such reinforcing bracing is not limited'to the bulkheads alone as transverse bracing may be incorporated intermediate the ends of i the sections without departing from the invention.

I have referred to the use of .more than two tubular units and in Figs, 1, 2, 3 and 12, I have shown a hull wherein three such units are-employed, the third unit being of smaller diameter and positioned to seat in. the reentrant space between the two lower units. This upper unit, indicated at to, isrnade in the same. manner as the lower units and is secured'to'both of them by anchorages corresponding to the anchorages 8. Withthis arrangement no deck is required, al-

thoughaflat deck may be cast alongthe crown ofQthe unit Ila. Allofthe-units of Figures 1-3 are formed and broughttogether with; respect to one another and with respect to the fore and aft sections in the same manner as described with respect to Figures 11 and 12 or 1.3 and 14-.

In the bow section of both forms of the invention described, suitable storage space and crew quarters can be providedcwhile the stern section is adapted to, contain crew accommodations,

power plant, and other operating adjuncts, etc.

Appropriate derricks, booms and other loading.

and unloading devices, Winches, etc, may be mounted on the. deck or upon the upper tubular unit 1a, in any suitable manner.

I have referred to-the fact-that the variousunits are secured to one another insubstantially tangential relation by means of anchorages orrial. If. metal is used inthese anchorages theyshould "be fitted through yieldable sleeves, such" as rubber sleeves, and washers of rubber or some yielda-ble or resilient material should .be -positioned between the severallugs, so as to eliminate the grinding action which would result by interfacial relation between concrete'andconcreteor concrete and metal. Any suitable cushioning or resilient material may be used in this connection It is indicated generally in Figure 6 by the -reference character H.

In Figures 5 and .6, the pins are shown as horizontally disposed, whereas in Figures Brand 10, the lugs to which correspond to the lugs 8,

anchorages are placed at. intervals throughout the length of the units, so. thatsaid units are coupled: or tiedtogether at relatively close spacing."

The anchorage of the deck to the tubular units, as described in connection withFigure I 11, is shown in Figures 7 and8. The same constructionmay be used in securing the ship's bottom 15 to said units.

The invention as thus far described contem-fl plates the casting of individual tubular sections, of cylindrical form, the axial assembly of a plus rality of thesesections to formunits, and the subsequent assembly of a plurality of these units in substantially tangential relation and the association therewith of appropriate bow andstern 24. Reinforcingbars 25 are shown as projectingfromthe opposite ends of the section, so that when a plurality of these sections areplaced end to end, these projecting portions of the reinforcing bars may be welded together and thereafter encased in cast concrete to join the sections after the same manner as joining the sections 1 in Figurell. In this way it is possible to assemble integral twin sections in succession to formjthe hull of a single unit of consecutive; prefabricated sections.

With a ship constructed in the manner, described, I obtain maximum buoyancy through maximum displacement witha minimum of ma terial' and consequently minimum dead weight and these important factors are gained without sacrifice'of stability of maneuverability. If desired, a-suitable keelor fins may be cast on the bottom, or on the exterior of the tube assemblies, but I have not shown-these as they are notnecessary.

I have hereinbeforedescribed the present in-- vention as primarily adapted for employment in the. building of reinforced concrete ships. 1 wish it understood, however, that .in'the specification of this-material -I have-inmind, if desired, the employment of any suitable natural or synthetic plastic material in lieu of the reinforced concrete described and, consequently, where reinforcedconcreteis referred to in the claimsit is to be construed as covering'such plastic materials as well.

The. foregoing description sets forth preferredforms .of the present invention, but the -inven--;

tionxis: to be understood as commensurate with the'appencled claims.

Havingthus fully. described-the invention what I claim; as :newand desire to secureby- Letters Patent is:

1.-The herein. described method of constructing 'concrete'ships, which comprises: fabricatinga 'plurality of reinforced concrete 'tubuluar sections of hollow cylindrical form, assembling a plurality of these sections in coaxial end, to-end relation with. substantially waterproof joints .be-. tween them to form a unit, similarly assembling:

arezpositioned to overlap :in:- a "horizontal 'direc,-- tion, and are held'together'byfvertical-pins with appropriate. cushioning material Ha. These;

an additional number of like sections to form a second 'unit of substantially the same kind, then attaching the two separate units to one another in substantially parallel tangential non-intersecting relation, so that said combined units constitute the main portion of the hull, and uniting the opposite ends of the said connected units to bow and stern hull sections with substantially water-tight joints.

2. The herein described method of constructing concrete ships, which comprises: forming a plurality of units by individually fabricating individual cylindrical tubular sections of reinforced concrete and securing a plurality of them in axial alinement with their contiguous ends secured to one another, arranging the resulting units in substantially tangential non-intersecting relation to one another and securing contiguous units to one another, securing to the forward ends of the thus combined units an appropriate reinforced concrete bow section, and securing to the aft end of the combined units an appropriate reinforced concrete stern section.

3. The herein described method of constructing concrete ships, which comprises: forming a plurality of units by individually fabricating individual cylindrical tubular sections of reinforced 4. The herein described method of construct-.

ing concrete ships, which comprises: successively fabricating a plurality of cylindrical tubular sections of concrete having reinforcing bars therein with the bars projecting beyond the ends of the several sections, bringing said sections into closely spaced axial alinement with the projecting portions of the reinforcing bars of the successive sections substantially contacting with one another, welding the contiguous ends of the bars of the successive sections to one another, then filling in the space between contiguous ends of the successive sections with concrete to form said successive sections into an elongated tubular unit, similarly forming at least one additional unit in like manner, bringing said units into substantially tangential non-intersecting relation and securing them to one another, and

attaching to the fore and aft ends of the thus.

combined units bow and stern sections.

5. The herein described method of constructing concrete ships, which comprises: forming in succession a plurality of reinforced concrete sections of tubular cylindrical form with internal flanges at the opposite ends of each, bringing said sections consecutively into substantially abutting coaxial relation, and securing the flanges of successive sections to one another to form an elongated tubular unit, similarly forming at least one additional unit in the same way, bringing said units into substantially tangential non-intersecting relation and securing them to' one another along their lines of substantial tangency, and securing to the opposite ends of the thus combined units appropriate bow and stern sections. i

6. The herein described method of constructing concrete ships, which comprises: casting a succession of tubular cylindrical reinforced concrete sections individually, successively arranging said sections in axial alinement, securing the contiguous ends of the successive sections to one another to form an elongated cylindrical unit, similarly preparing at least one additional unit and placing the same along-side of the first, securing the units to one another at adjacent points in their circumferences, casting a rein-' forced concrete bottom across the space between the lowermost portions of said units and with the bottom secured to both units, and securing appropriate bow and stem sections to said units and bottom.

'7. The herein described method of constructing concrete ships, which comprises: casting a succession of tubular cylindrical reinforced concrete sections individually, successively arranging said sections in axial alinement, securing the contiguous ends of the successive sections to one another to form an elongated cylindrical unit, similarly preparing at least one additional unit and placing the same alongside of the first, yieldably coupling the units to'one another at adjacent points in their circumferences, casting a reinforced concrete bottom across the space between the lowermost portions of said units and with the bottom secured to both units, and securing appropriate bow and stain sections to said units and bottom.

8. The herein described method of construct ing concrete ships, which comprises: casting a succession of tubular cylindrical reinforced concrete sections individually, successively arranging said sections in axial alinement, securing v tions of said units between the bow and stern sections with a reinforced concrete deck. 7

9. Ihe herein described method of constructing concrete ships, which comprises: securing in coaxial end to end relation a plurality of indi-" vidually fabricated reinforced concrete sections of tubular cylindrical form to produce an elongated tubular unit, forming another unit in the same way, placing said units side by side in laterally spaced apart relation, securing to the fore and aft ends of said units collectively appropriate bow and stern sections, bridging the space between the lowermost portions of said units with a reinforced concrete bottom, and bridging the space across the uppermost portions of said units with a reinforced concrete deck.

' 10. The herein described method of construct-'1. ing concrete ships, which comprises: forming a. plurality of reinforced concrete, substantially. cylindrical tubular units of substantially the.

same overall length, placing these units side by side in parallel spaced apart relation, yieldably coupling them together, bridging the lowermost portion of said units with a hull bottom, and securing bow and stern sections to the fore and aft ends of the resulting structure.

11. The herein described method of construct-'- ing concrete ships, which comprises: forming a plurality of reinforced concrete, substantially cylindrical tubular units of substantially the same overall length and provided at spaced apart distances in the length of each with cross axial bulkheads, placing these units side. by side in parallel spaced apart relation, yieldably coupling them together, bridging the lowermost portion of said units with a hull bottom, and securing bow and stern sections to the fore and aft ends of the resulting structure.

12. The herein described method of constructing concrete ships, which comprises: forming reinforced concrete bow and stern sections with a bulkhead at the aft end of the bow section,

and a bulkhead at the forward end of the stern section, interposing between the bulkheads of the bow and stern sections'a plurality of elongated substantially cylindrical tubular units arranged in parallel spaced apart relation, radially securing said tubular units to one another, and securing the opposite ends of the tubular units to the bow and stem sections.

13. A reinforced concrete ship hull comprising reinforced concrete bow and stern sections, a plurality of substantially cylindrical reinforced concrete tubular units interposed between and secured to the bow and stem sections in parallel relation to one another and cross axially spaced apart, anchorages projecting radially outward from each of said units to overlap similar anchorages on the other units, locking members extending through the overlapping anchorages of adjacent units, and cushioning material between the overlapping portions of said anchorages and about the locking members to provide some flexibility in the anchorages thus formed.

VLADIMIR YOURKEVITCI-I. 

